After an unintentionally long hiatus, we are back with Episode 8 and a great pairing with Kiona’s 2006 Washington Chardonnay, which can be found for about $10 – $12. For the food Molly made up a wonderful sandwich-like concoction called Croque Monsieur. She got the inspiration after seeing it in a movie… and we’ve had it several times since!
Click here to visit the 2006 Washington Chardonnay page on our website.
Croque Monsieur – from Ina Garten’s Barefoot in Paris
Ingredients:
- 2 T unsalted butter
- 3 T all-purpose flour
- 2 C hot milk
- 1 t. kosher salt
- 1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper
- pinch nutmeg
- 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (5 cups)
- 1/2 C freshly grated Parmesan
- 16 slices white sandwich bread (We’ve been using French bread)
- Dijon mustard
- 8 ounces baked Virginia ham, sliced
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Melt butter over low heat in a small saucepan and add the flour all at once, stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Slowly pour the hot milk into the butter-flour mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thickened.
- Off the heat, add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup grated Gruyere, and the Parmesan and set aside.
- To toast the bread, place the slices on 2 baking sheets and bake for 5 minutes. Turn each slice over and bake another 2 minutes, until toasted.
- Lightly brush half the toasted breads with mustard, add a slice of ham to each, and sprinkle with half the remaining Gruyere. Top with another piece of toasted bread. Slather the tops with the cheese sauce, sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere, and bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and lightly browned. Serve hot!
[…] out JJ and Molly from Kiona Wine as they do a Chardonnay food and wine pairing […]